Date:27/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/09/27/stories/2005092701770400.htm

Back `Big Indian presence at Gitex expo'

Vimala Vasan

Abu Dhabi , Sept. 26

INDIAN IT companies under the aegis of the ESC (Electronics and Computer Software Export Council), are participating in a big way in Gitex Dubai 2005, which is being held at the Dubai International Convention Centre.

Around 52 Indian comapnies from both the software and hardware sectors would participate, making it the largest participation by Indian firms in any global IT event this year, Mr Kamal Vachani, Regional Director of ESC, said.

In order to maintain cost-effective solutions, companies the world over have evinced interest in products and solutions available in India, and the West Asian markets hold tremendous potential for Indian companies, he said.

The participation at Gitex will favilitate expansion of business opportunities in newer areas of development. Gitex 2005 will run up to September.

The 25th edition of the show has registered double-digit growth in the number of participating exhibitors (up 24 per cent) to 1,163 this year.

The number of exhibiting companies too has gone up by 12 per cent to 2,724, while country representation has shot up by 49 per cent to 61 countries, the organisers said in a statement.

The number of national pavilions in 2005 has gone up (14 per cent) from 21 to 24.This year, the number of visitors is expected to cross 120,000.

The IT industry itself is in an advanced stage of growth in West Asia, especially the GCC region. IT spending by banks and government sector in the GCC region is expected to get a boost in the years to come.